Sun Day: A Celebration of The Power of Renewables
Samantha Dynowski
August 2025
On September 20 and 21, people across the globe will be celebrating the unstoppable rise of clean energy. Here in Connecticut, Sierra Club is joining forces with Third Act CT and dozens of other organizations to showcase the energy sources that can power our world without pollution. Sun Day will show that clean energy is better for cost, climate, and public health.
Sun Day is the brainchild of Bill McKibben, Founder of Third Act. In a recent blog post he explained the need for a celebration of renewables:
“...everything is going wrong except for one big thing, which is that the price of clean energy keeps falling and falling, and hence it gets easier and easier to put up more and more of it. So our job is to make sure that everyone knows that.”
Last month, the UN Secretary General lifted up a message of hope about renewable energy, saying:​
“Throughout history, energy has shaped the destiny of humankind – from mastering fire, to harnessing steam, to splitting the atom. Now, we are on the cusp of a new era. Fossil fuels are running out of road. The sun is rising on a clean energy age. Just follow the money. $2 trillion went into clean energy last year – that’s $800 billion more than fossil fuels, and up almost 70% in ten years. And new data released today from the International Renewable Energy Agency shows that solar – not so long ago four times the cost of fossil fuels – is now 41% cheaper. Offshore wind – 53%. And over 90% of new renewables worldwide produced electricity for less than the cheapest new fossil fuel alternative. This is not just a shift in power. This is a shift in possibility.”
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These remarks coincided with a UN Report on the energy transition including the state of renewables, the opportunities, and the opposition titled “Seizing the moment of opportunity: Supercharging the new energy era of renewables, efficiency, and electrification”
In Connecticut, I hope you will participate in Sun Day. There will be events across the state as well as a large statewide gathering on Sunday, September 21 in New Britain. More about some of the events:
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See the map and full list of events here.
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Local events include:
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Saturday, September 20 - Sun Shines on Branford: Educational presentations, creative interactive workshops, a solar home tour, children's sun-themed books and art projects, music, and more will add to the joyous festivities of the day.
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Saturday, September 20 - Sun Day West Hartford: Electric Showcase: This electric showcase will feature electric vehicles, electric bikes and scooters, electric lawn care, solar, heat pumps, battery charging and more. Get your questions answered from people who own and operate these technologies. This is a family friendly event with activities for kids.
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Saturday, September 20 - Sun Day on Saturday, Mansfield: Celebrate our sun and the ways it can power our future! We will have musicians, speakers, artists, solar exhibits, a children's Sun Zone, and much more.
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And more local events are being added every day!
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The statewide event:
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Sunday, September 21 - Connecticut Sun Day Festival in New Britain. A "big tent" Sun Day gathering in central Connecticut with speakers, music, the arts, activities for all ages, exhibitors, an EV demonstration, and a great hopeful spirit. This gathering will take place both outdoors and indoors to celebrate the many towns and cities that came together with Sun Day events across the state the day before!
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If you are feeling ambitious, you are invited to host your own event. Third Act has provided a toolkit of ideas for hosting your own event.
Let’s celebrate the potential and opportunity of renewable energy and share our enthusiasm with others.
Samantha Dynowski is State Director of Sierra Club Connecticut.
